With nearly four out of five Americans online visiting sites, the internet clearly represents an increasingly important channel for design studios. Technology is in constant evolution and we want to explore ways to make it easy for customers to engage and get inspired and eventually translate and change their homes with our help.

For us these are the most inspirational times because it pushes us to make things everyday and to make things very simple for our customers to understand and at the same time provide them with the right tools to achieve a great environment. Many interior design firms and studios have great interior design services online such as: design styles centers, paint color palettes, paint techniques, room planners, furniture recommendations and customized floor plans which clients could access and engage via the internet, but more importantly these services are affordable most for a fraction of the price you would pay for a traditional interior design on site service.

We find that many customers go to the web to find inspiration and to engage in conversation. The intersection of creativity and technology creates a great venue for providing great interior design services, with easy to follow tools and many inspirations at affordable prices. We find that most customers that lean towards online services are looking for services from a professional interior designer and are willing to engage in some of the work themselves. Many do it yourself types find that getting recommendations and guidance of a professional designers is a key to achieving the look there are after and if budget is a factor this is a great alternative to creating the interior they always wanted.

We know that consumers are being very careful about their spending and online studios offer a great service that is affordable while working with their client budget. An despite the challenges facing interior designers, many are finding that by extending with confidence great interior design services online they could offer unique propositions at budget friendly prices, while engaging in a straight forward culture, to be open to new ideas, constant improvement, and team work they offer great interior design accessible to anybody.

In the end, we like to shop. But with people spending more time in their home or working from home, more will choose to make their home more beautiful and functional to best suit their lifestyles. Many will surf the web for their next room makeover or home renovation and we are excited for the creative design process of a client space and homes via the internet.

Challenging times spark creativity, ingenuity and months ahead show great promise. Digital innovations now offer us myriad opportunities to provide astonishing amounts of ideas and information online, interactive tools, and powerful dialogue online. Moving forward, we will continue to showcase stylish lives and dazzling spaces.

Nearly half of U.S. small businesses have websites, according to USA Today. Even before the financial crisis, small businesses and solo professionals had begun turning to the Internet to reach a global audience and to better serve their customers right next door. Experts predict that companies without a web presence will be at a disadvantage as customers in all industries now expect an online site as part of doing business.

So why should an interior designer have a website? Here are five reasons why an online presence is well worth your time.

1. World-wide exposure. Too many designers never receive the recognition they deserve because their work doesn’t reach a wide enough audience to ignite fame. With a well-designed website, your portfolio can reach millions of people all around the world-potential clients, reporters, bloggers and corporate decision-makers. That can mean increased opportunities for projects, show houses, commercial bids and interviews.

2. Qualified, 24/7 referrals. Your website transcends time zones to work while you sleep. Today’s customers are more likely than ever before to bypass the media when looking for a solution and go straight to the Internet. If you’re relying on traditional media for articles and ads to reach clients, you’re missing out on an increasingly large share of the market that relies on web searches to find what they’re looking for. If you’re not on the web, they don’t even consider you.

3. Credibility. Americans now expect to find companies on the web. Companies that lack a web presence look less professional, more limited in scope, and less stable than those with good quality websites. Even if a prospect finds you through word of mouth, they may rethink their choice if they can’t find out more about you online.

4. Competitive advantage. Your website defines you. It provides a chance to see your portfolio, read about your recent projects, view or listen to client testimonials and celebrate your show homes or awards. Without a website, you lose the chance to define yourself, and others may not define your work or speak to your capabilities as well as you would.

5. Websites are a great venue for self-expression and creativity. Just as your workspace or your business card make a statement about you, your website can make a striking visual impression on prospects. Through the design of your site, you can showcase your personality. Visitors will know right away whether you are bold or restrained, modern or traditional. A website can express who you are as a designer and allows potential clients to see what you have to offer them. With web audio and video, you can showcase your talent in whole new ways with plenty of drama and panache.

Interior designers with websites have a big advantage over those who don’t. We live in a visual world, so the more visual a website is, the better you can communicate your talents and ideas. Today it’s surprisingly affordable to build a great website. You’ll find other cost savings to having a website, including reduced costs for printing and mailing, since you can refer prospects to pictures on your site rather than having to reproduce and distribute these individually. Even better, the information on your website is easy to update, so if you change your phone number, your address or other details you don’t have to scrap a box of expensive brochures that are now out of date.

A website is living; it is constantly being viewed and can change with your needs. So let the world see through your eyes. Share your creativity and design-driven thoughts with the world. A great website will help you achieve things paper will never be able to do.

A good interior design consultant is as important to a remodeling project as a builder is to a new home construction. If you decide to work with one, they should bring a wealth of experience and product knowledge to the table to help you with your remodeling or new home construction project.

Hiring a good designer

Good interior design consultants are more like good therapists. They don’t tell you what to do, rather they guide you through a process of selecting options that best suite your style and provides the best outcome. So how do you find a good interior design consultant? Well, the best way is through word of mouth and referrals. Talk to your friends to see if any of them recently used an interior design specialist and if they were happy with the results. Interior designer web sites can be helpful, but also visit local builders and model homes to obtain referrals. Another great source for referrals can be your local furniture store. Many can provide interior design referrals or have local designers that moonlight in the store. Your local parade of homes or builder show rooms are also good sources.

First Impressions

You should interview a few interior design consultants before you make your final selection. Be sure to review pictures of their recent work. Ask for referrals and contact their clients to see if they were happy. It’s important that you develop a good relationship with the interior design consultant. You should feel comfortable discussing your budget and its important that you feel the designer is listening to you. You should be comfortable saying no. In the end, you need to feel like there was a common goal between you and the designer.

Experience Matters

The ideal interior design consultant will have many years of experience working with builders, vendors and other suppliers. They should have depth of experience in fabric, appliances, furniture and other accessories. After listening to your desires, they should be able to take you to the showrooms, fabric stores and other vendors that will supply you with the unique products that will develop your individual style.

Selecting the right Interior Design Consultant will help ensure that when the project is finished, you love the results.